FACTS
The Little Engine That Could™ will be traveling across the country, greeting boys and girls throughout the United States at participating railroads. This life-size replica locomotive patterned after the original illustrations for the classic children’s book will chug along the tracks where you’ll hear her whistle blow, brass bell ringing, and steam hissing, all the while repeating her courageous “I think I can” refrain.
Get on board a host railroad near you for a train ride and fun-filled day of family activities.
The Story
The Little Engine That Could™ is a children’s book written by Watty Piper in 1930. This book has been dubbed a children’s classic since it was first published. The Little Engine That Could™ is wholly owned and published by Penguin Young Readers Group, a member of Penguin Group USA, Inc. and is represented for licensing by Universal Studio Consumer Products Group.
The Locomotive
The Little Engine That Could™ locomotive was built in 2005 for Rail Events Inc. by the shops at the Strasburg Railroad in Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Construction took nearly 7 months.
This standard gauge locomotive is 8’4” wide, 13’4” tall and measures 25’9” long. Patterned after the original book illustrated by George and Doris Hauman, this life-size replica has a 4-2-4 wheel configuration and weighs in at 30,740 pounds.
The Little Engine That Could™ locomotive features a smiling petticoat smoke stack and classic square boxed head lamp. Passengers participating in the “I Think I Can” Rail Tour will appreciate the life-like sights and sounds of this little blue engine. Listen and you’ll hear her whistle blow, bell ringing and steam hissing as she motivates her inner self to be the best she can be. As in the story, she climbs that big hill, chanting “I think I can” in order to deliver the toys to all those excited boys and girls. Listen closely and you will hear her…
